Philosophical and Historical

Foundations of Special
Education

By Ruby Perez
Contributors to the development
of Special Education
• Jacob Rodriguez (1715-1780)
• Philippe Pinel (1745-1826)
• Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard (1774-1838)
• Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787-1851)
• Samuel Gridley Howe (1801-1876)
• Dorothea Lynde Dix (1802-1887)
• Louis Braille (1809-1852)
• Edouard Seguin (1812-1880)
• Francis Galton (1822-1911)
• Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)
• Alfred Binet (1857-1911)
• Maria Montessori (1870-1911)
• Lewis Terman (1877-1956)
1784 Valentin Hauy institution for blind youths and it is the
first school education for blind children.

Beginning of the education of Behavioral

disorders. 1792
1799 Beginning of special Education; Jean-Marc Gaspard
Itard suggests that educational interventions can
improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Benjamin Rush insists that the mentally ill

have to be treaded with respect. Receives state
funding allowing him to open a ward for the
mentally ill.
1800
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet goes to Europe to
1815 observe how educational programs for deaf are
organized and brings back experts to implicate
model educational programs.
1817 Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallauadet is prinipal of
Connecticut Asylum for education, instructor of deaf and dumb
persons.
Samuel Grindley Howe establishes New England
Asylum for blind. 1829
1834 Louis Braille publishes Braille code.

First teacher opens in Massachusetts.

1839
1848 Samuel Gridley Howe establishes Massachusetts school
for idiotic and feeble minded children

In Boston first class for children with hearing

impairments opens 1869
1876 Edouard Seguin helps organize the first professional association
concerned with intellectual disability, intellectual and
developmental disabilities.

National Education Association establishes

section for teachers of children with disabilities.
1897
1898 Elizabeth Farrell begins a program for “backwards” or “slow
learning” children in New york city.
Vineland Training School in New Jersey inaugurates
training programs for teachers of students with
intellectual disability. 1904
1916 Lewis Terman publishes Standford-Binet Scale of Intelligence

Columbia University begins programs for teachers of

kids who are gifted. 1920
1922 Organization that became the Council for Exceptional Children
founded in New York City.

Seeing eye dogs for blind people are introduced in the

U.S. 1928
1936 In New York City, first compulsory law for testing the hearing of
school age children is enacted.

United Cerebral Palsy association is founded. 1949

1950 National Association for retarted children is founded
(known as The Arc)

National Association for Gifted children is founded 1953

1963 Association for Children with Learning Disabilities is organized.

Wolf Wolfensberger introduces concept of normalization.

1972
Public Law 93-112 Vocational Rehabilitation Act is enacted,
1973 Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with
disabilities.
Education for all Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986(PL 94-
142) is passed, landmark legislation ensures, among other
provisions a free and appropriate public education for all
children with disabilities.
1975
Education for the Handicapped Act Amendments (PL 99-457)
1986 are enacted. Mandate a special education for preschoolers
with disabilities and incentives for early intervention services
to infants and toddlers

PL 101-476 Individuals with Disabilities Education

Act (IDEA) is passed. 1990
1990 Americans with Disabilities Act becomes law and
prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is

reauthorized providing a retooling and expansion of
services for students with disabilities and families
1997
2001 No Child Left Behind Act is enacted and a major educational
reform effort focusing on academic achievement of students
and qualifications of teachers.
IDEA is passed, aligns legislation with provisions of the
No Child Left Behind Act; modifies the individualized
education program process in addition to changes
affecting school discipline, due process, and
2004
evaluation of children with disabilities.

2008 Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments are enacted;

expand statutory interpretation of disability while affording
individuals with disabilities greater protections.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; promises

funding IDEA 12.2 billion dollars. 2009
 Citations
Gargiulo, R. (2015). Special education in contemporary society: An introduction to
exceptionality (Fifth ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications.

Interactive Timeline for Special Education. (1995). Retrieved September 5, 2015,

from
http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_smith_teachneeds_5/71/18198/4658915.cw/index.ht
ml

The History of Special Education. (n.d.). Retrieved September 5, 2015, from

http://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/46133/The-History-of-Special-
Education/#vars!date=1947-10-01_14:43:29!

Timeline Of Relevant Events In Special Education Myrnas Version. (2010, February

4). Retrieved September 5, 2015, from
http://www.slideshare.net/MyrnaAyala/timeline-of-relevant-events-in-special-
education-myrnas-version

Todd, D. (2008, April 1). Timeline of Key Dates in the History of Special Education
in the U.S. Retrieved September 5, 2015, from
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/timeline-of-key-dates-in-the-history-of-special-
education-in-the-us